Help pls ? Want to learn more about recently purchased WW2 era IBM M1carbine

[mdaniels40]

I'm a new member to the forum. Could I impose on members of this forum for any information you could give me regarding the IBM M1 carbine I recently purchased ? I'm trying to figure out meanings of parts markings (manufacturers ? Armorer's marks ?), value of the weapon, and any information as to it's combat history if possible. The stock is pretty banged up, but no cracks or chunks missing. The weapon itself is in excellent operating condition, good bore, about 60-70% finish, fires well and shoots accurately to 500 feet (longest range I've tried). I'll try to post photos later. This is what I've got so far ...

STOCK - Low wood, oval cut for sling, walnut with stamped 'crossed cannons in a square' cartouche, accompanied by letters GHD and UEH on left side of stock, with MU stamped in wood by sling.
RECEIVER - marked IBM Corp (PLUS SERIAL # 3847284) behind/under rear sight.
RECEIVER STOCK BLOCK – stamped “A”
BARREL - Marked IBM CORPORATION, no date
BARREL BAND – Stamped “AI”
FRONT SIGHT - stamped “U”
REAR SIGHT - adjustable, milled not stamped
TRIGGER HOUSING - Stamped “SG”
BOLT – Stamped ‘10” & “1”
SEAR - Stamped “GE”
TRIGGER - Stamped “U”
HAMMER – Stamped “HH” OR “H1” OR “MH” ( It's worn and difficult to make out )
MAGAZINE CATCH (MODIFIED WITH SUPPORT ARM FOR 30 RND MAGS) STAMPED “M”
MAGAZINE – Stamped “SW” (STAR WATCH CASE ?)
SLIDE with “STRAIGHT FACE”, Stamped “UW” & “S” OR “5”

I believe this carbine has been “ARSENALIZED” at least once, with the following obsolete parts replaced : Hammer; Hammer spring (2.125" 22 coils to 2.616" 26.5 coils); Sear; Magazine Catch (replaced with one that would hold the 30 round magazine); Magazine Catch Retainer Plungers w/ Safety Plunger; Operating Slide Stop, Spring, and Pin; Rear Sight (replaced flip type with adjustable type); Safety (replaced push button with rotary); Barrel Band (replaced with band with bayonet lug).

Very grateful for any further information ! Dr Mike

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bill Hollinger]

Mike, welcome to milsurps.com. We have some of the greatest bunch of guys you could ever hope to run across in the hobby.

It sounds as though you have an arsenal post war rebuild on your hands. Not one thing wrong with that either. The different markings all stand for the maker of the part and what carbine manufacturer they were made for. Like the .U. is Underwood, the HI on the hammer is Inland, SG (if it is SG and not S'G') is for Saginaw Gear and so on. Your best resource for great information is Larry Ruth's "War Baby vol I". Craig Riesch put out a great little quick reference book "US M1 carbine, Wartime Production". Keep in mind Ruth's book is a wonderful carbine book with few errors. Riesch's book is known to contain errors but is a great quick look book and small so it can be carried to gun shows and such.

[USGI]

Welcome, Mike! Have you checked for import marks? Your IBM sounds a lot like one of mine that was brought back from Israel by Century Arms International. The bottom of the barrel on mine is marked CAI. - Bob

[Bubba-7]

You have it about right.
A re-built IBM, 70% finish mixed parts, about $ 800 South and mid west, $ 900 to $950 North and West.

[mdaniels40]

Thanks for the feedback to date ! There are no import marks as far as I can see. Nothing on the barrel except the manufacturer. Sling is not original - OD green with several marks, one of which appears Korean ? Got it at auction for less than lowest value stated in Bubba's post, so I guess I 'done good'. Still wish there was a way to find out where this gun might have seen action....

Mike

[INLAND44]

Israelis have the serial number on the stock, but of course the stock could have been changed out since importation. As far as where it may have seen action, it could have been anywhere in WWII plus the Korean War and possibly Viet Nam while it was in U.S. custody.

[Neal Myers]

You really have to look closely for an import marking, as some are really tiny. Maybe on the bottom of the barrel, maybe on the receiver below the wood line.

You might want to get a technical inspection by a gunsmith. We loaned many carbines to the Koreans, who used them hard. When the spare parts ran out, the Korean Army armorers made some repairs that our armorers would not do, such as weld a broken bolt lug.

Neal